Proven Paths
Good Morning,
As David reigned over Israel, there was prosperity and peace. Absalom had been returned to the kingdom, but apparently, he still harbored bitterness over Amnon’s treatment of Thamar and David’s lack of willingness to correct the problem. Absalom fixed the problem by having Amnon killed. Again, David was soft and did not punish Absalom for the murder of his half brother.
The issues of heart between David and Absalom are not clear, but the following story is clearly recorded by God.
In 2 Samuel chapters 15-18, Absalom leads a rebellion against King David. I have written about this before, but I would like to refresh your memory as to the sad result of following evil people.
Once begun, separating from wrong leadership is difficult. I wonder how many people knew the evils being done by targeting parents at school board meetings, yet suppressed their concerns. How many people thought the behavior of political leaders doing things like destroying phones and off-site servers was wrong, but played the simpleton and joined the action because it was prosperous at the moment.
Once people joined Absalom, it might have been very difficult to remove themselves from his side. The bandwagon mentality of popularity and excitement might be satisfying for a time, but the battle in the woods is coming.
2 Samuel 18:7 “Where the people of Israel were slain before the servants of David, and there was there a great slaughter that day of twenty thousand men.”
vs. 8 “For the battle was there scattered over the face of all the country: and the wood devoured more people that day than the sword devoured.”
vs. 9 “And Absalom met the servants of David. And Absalom rode upon a mule, and the mule went under the thick boughs of a great oak, and his head caught hold of the oak, and he was taken up between the heaven and the earth; and the mule that was under him went away.”
20,000 people died that day, many of whom surely knew their decisions had been foolish, selfish, and unmerited.
Make no mistake – a day of reckoning is pending. The judgment is not simply an earthly one. There is a Judge Whose evidence is perfect and includes the outward behavior as well as the intents of the heart. This judgement is not the kind a devious lawyer might help you avoid in an imperfect court; the Holy God knows and sees the behavior and intents of the heart, and He knows what you understood behind the scenes.
Flee now the shameful paths of popularity and even prosperity, before the judgment day “in the wood” arrives. One bitter man drew so many people into situations that were perhaps innocent at first (2 Samuel 15:11), but there was a time, no doubt, when they realized they were on the wrong path. The tragic suffering that followed could never balance the short-lived thrill of being a part of Absalom’s plots.
Never follow an Absalom in causing harm to a time-tested David. Never be a part of inflicting harm on a peaceful, prosperous kingdom – ever!!! Most certainly, do not join in when there is no plan in place or path to follow that has been proven to be better. Foolish children will rebel against faithful parents with no idea what they might do next if they were to receive their desires. Many a weary spouse walks out on a faithful partner to follow some exciting unknown. Much suffering usually follows.
It is wise to consider the good that you have enjoyed in the past; the men of Israel did that, but it was 20,000 deaths too late.
2 Samuel 19:9 “And all the people were at strife throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, The king saved us out of the hand of our enemies, and he delivered us out of the hand of the Philistines; and now he is fled out of the land for Absalom.”
vs. 10 “And Absalom, whom we anointed over us, is dead in battle. Now therefore why speak ye not a word of bringing the king back?”
The choice of people with whom you choose to run may be the very choice that causes death to you or your children. It is wise to stay with time-tested, proven paths.
Pastor